The term ‘photo’ comes from the Greek word ‘phōtós’ (φως), which means light. In ancient Greek, this word was associated with light, brightness, and the process of illumination. This connection is evident in various terms that use the root ‘photo-‘, such as photography (writing with light) and photosynthesis (the process by which plants make food using light).
In essence, when we use the term ‘photo’ today, we’re referring to images created by capturing light, which is the foundational principle behind photography. The use of light to create and convey visual information is a concept that has stood the test of time since the days of ancient Greece.